The title of Grand Master had existed within the Jedi Order for much of its history, representing the elected head of the entire Order. Appointment of a Grand Master was reserved to the High Council, with a unanimous vote needed to install the Order's leader. Bestowed only upon the Order's greatest and wisest of all Masters, it was not unheard of for several Masters to hold the title, forming elite guilds before the Ruusan Reformations of the Galactic Republic.